On July 1st of 2003, a new musical organization was formed in Little Rock, Arkansas. The group began without a name, but soon came to be known as the Natural State Brass Band. The name is derived from Arkansas being known as the Natural State due to its sheer beauty and the plethora of outdoor events available to its residents year-round.
The initial roster consisted of approximately 30 musicians from central Arkansas and surrounding areas. In the beginning, the band rehearsed in Little Rock at Christ Episcopal Church. While the band no longer uses the church for rehearsals, it does meet there once a year to conduct its yearly business meeting. It helps to remind the current members of our beginnings. Early on the band had very little equipment and a very limited library. However, that did not deter the group from scheduling concerts and making a commitment to attend the North American Brass Band Championships (NABBA) in April of 2004 in Charleston, West Virginia.
Immanuel Baptist Church in Little Rock soon became the "home" of the NSBB. Having the ability to rehearse and perform in a single location has proven to be an incredible asset to the band. We are forever indebted to the church, its staff, and its members for allowing us to be a part of its family.
Throughout our short history, the band has worked to abide by its mission statement, "To provide an enjoyable musical experience for our audience, to promote the brass band idiom, and to enhance the musicianship of our members through the performance of quality literature."
Through the generosity of many supporters and band members, we have been able to acquire equipment, music, office supplies, and countless other assets, to make us the premier brass band in the state. The band is also known and respected throughout the United States and Canada.
The band has worked hard in its history to give back to the community. In addition to providing free concerts so that no family or children are denied the opportunity for quality entertainment, the band has performed concerts for the Ronald McDonald House (World Children's Day), members of the band have played for the state Missing Children's Day, the consecration for the Bishop of Arkansas, a fund raiser for the American Lung Association, and annually at the remembrance ceremony for the Survivors of Pearl Harbor. In addition, the band travels to take its brand of music to communities throughout the state. From band camps across Arkansas to the beautiful Garvan Woodland Gardens in Hot Springs, to the Mississippi delta in Helena, we are committed to introducing all to the brass band idiom.
In April of 2009, the band travelled to Louisville, Kentucky for the NABBA Championships. The band was in top form and very confident of what we might be able to accomplish. All of the hard work and commitment paid off as the NSBB captured the top spot in the Challenge Section. There was no doubt in the judge's mind or of the audience as the band scored 278 out of a possible 300 points, the 2nd highest point total of the Championships. It was an incredible feeling of accomplishment after being so close for several years to finally reach the top.
As we completed the 2009 season, the focus turned intense on the upcoming tour of England during the summer of 2010. Much preparation and planning went on well before the beginning of 2010, but in January, is when we began to put the program in place. Additional concerts were scheduled throughout the beginning months to get prepared for this incredible opportunity. We performed in Hot Springs Village, West Helena, Conway, and Little Rock to get ready. We had the unique opportunity to play for a conference in which President Clinton was the keynote speaker and later the same evening, the band opened for Earth, Wind, and Fire.
The tour of England was 10 days in length. We played in a number of different venues throughout Northern England. We were afforded the opportunity to play at the English Nationals in Preston in an exhibition role. The English Nationals invite the top 16 bands in England to qualify for 1 spot in the European Nationals. We were the first non-English band to grace the stage at this prestigious contest.
Another "one of a kind" opportunity came our way as we were able to "have a blow" in the world famous Black Dyke band room. This band room has been home to some of the best bands, performers, and conductors in the history of brass bands. The band had continually rehearsed here for over 150 years and was moving into a newer, modern rehearsal space in the same building. The old space was to be turned into a museum. We have the distinction of being the last band to play in the old space as Black Dyke would be resuming rehearsals in the new location. The last piece of music performed in the historic room was "The Stars and Stripes Forever"!
We had the opportunity to play alongside some of the finest bands in England. Freckleton (where our concert raised money for charity), VBS Poynton, Thoresby, and Wingates. It was both a thrilling and humbling experience to play concerts with these incredible bands and musicians. You can only imagine the excitement of the NSBB musicians and MD Russell Morris as each concert featured a number of "massed" band pieces where the bands took the stages seated with one another. The band was honored to have one of the finest musicians and bass trombonists on the planet to join us on the tour. Douglas Yeo has been the bass trombonist of the Boston Symphony Orchestra since 1985 and has been a great friend of the band and MD Morris. Douglas performed a number of solos written especially for him and the bass trombone. The audiences throughout England were thrilled to hear a soloist with the reputation of Douglas perform. In addition to Douglas, his wife Patricia played with the band on baritone as well as his daughter Linda on bass trombone. It was truly a family affair for the Yeo's.
The band had no let downs following the trip for the remainder of the year. The tour seemed to inspire and encourage a stronger work ethic and commitment from all members. As the year winds down, attention begins to turn to returning to the NABBA Championships that will be held in Grand Rapids, Michigan, in 2012. The band feels the responsibility and hunger to return and see if another top finish is in the cards. Music is selected and the band begins rehearsals in January. The band is challenged with some of the most difficult music it has faced, ever. As it has come to expect, the NSBB accepts the challenge and once again wins the section. Two first place finishes in 2 years!
On the horizon for the band are two very big events. In August of 2012, the band will host Boobs and Brass, an all female brass band from England. This group was formed five years ago with the express goal of raising money for breast cancer awareness. To date, the band has raised over $116,000 for research! They will be coming to the US to help raise funds and awareness here.
Then in 2013, the band will embark on its 2nd international tour, this time to Switzerland. It will also compete in its first international contest, the World Music Championships, to be held in Kerkrade, Netherlands.
We have come a long way in 8 years, but our journey is only just beginning.